Flower are Red

[@delaneyproctor3491]

I love everything about this. Someone linked it on reddit, and I don't remember which post but THANK YOU INTERNET STRANGER!

[@allysther]

My son graduates from high school today. This song has been his rallying cry for 12 years. Here’s to all of us who see the full rainbow.

[@potter3439]

Awesome!

[@alanshapiro5669]

That's what happens to children and adults when you gaslight them. They stop being creative, or thinking for themselves. Brilliant song by Harry Chapin.

[@gen5056]

I'm a 51 yr old black American female. Served 20yrs in the US Army. Found this clip reading the article about the 6 yr old babygirl who got told by her educator she was wrong for drawing what she saw... read so many comments and wanted to write my own... wonder if we'd ALL had this song, and this kinda support, where our Beautiful Messy HOME 🇺🇸 and ALL its Different Beautiful citizens would be today... we Have to do better! Thank you for this song in 2021, 1st time EVER hearing it. And Thanks Mom, for telling us, we could 🎨 it all just like WE saw it!💗

[@sjgaines718]

My 51 year old Black woman self was thinking the exact same thing.

[@PaulChurchfield]

@@sjgaines718 And my 58 year old white man self was thinking the exact same thing. It amazes me how wonderfully he tells this story, without calling anyone out or pointing any fingers. The truth just speaks for itself and he tells it so beautifully. RIP Harry

[@brentconlin6911]

Thank you for your service

[@larryh.4629]

As our country has become so divided and getting more so rather than gathering together as humans colors important but your color does not define the human I'm old and not religious by choice me and my God have an agreement I don't ask he don't disappoint but I do believe in the power just not the churches. So if I were to ask for one thing to see in my sons lifetimes father of 2 marines I wish for us as a people stop our hatred for our own citizens first. Then work out our issues with the world. And this has been a song from 40 yrs back for me too my kids now mid 30s remember Saturday mornings listening to Harry. Pass it on we lost him too soon. Best wishes for you and thank you for your service. Hopefully your not as damaged as mine. Getting better but walking wounded.

[@flinttruthchannel7546]

Great comment all tho I don't see how race plays a role

[@etmccaus]

My dad loved Harry's music, and I remember him playing this song for me. It's all I can think about as I watch my 3-yr-old take to drawing, coloring, and painting...

[@WendiBeatty]

I loved Harry's music too. I actually had tickets to see him in Boston, but a friend called me up the night before the concert and told me the bad news - he had died in a car crash. I immediately reached for a bottle of tequila and downed a couple of shots. Fortunately I had seen him early in his career, so at least I got to see him live once.

[@lesliejones7018]

This made me cry. I'm 65 and a retired teacher and para. We tell our chidren to use their imaginations in art, music, writing, dance, and on free play day in p.e. but we don't teach them how to use their imaginations. And somewhere down the education road their use of imagination is stiffled. Our children who come into the system in all shapes and sizes are expected to become the "round peg" that fits in the round hole.

[@arthurdonachy]

I let my granddaughter hear this 25 years ago,she still loves it ,thanks h

[@ruthcassidy6052]

I was lucky enough to see Harry once in concert, at an outdoor venue. He stayed after the show for more than an hour to sign autographs, even after it started raining. I stood there waiting my turn, near last in line, when he began giving out kisses (for the women) along with autographs. I just lived a few miles away and wanted to invite him and the rest of the gang over to my house but was too nervous and afraid he'd laugh at me. One of life's regrets. Oh, Harry, we lost you way too soon. :(

[@wbelle_author]

He probably would have shown up, even if only for a few minutes.

[@CriswellKOL]

Harry played this in our high school auditorium. It immediately became my favorite, and I wish it was better known. I graduated in 1976, but I don't remember what year it was that he was there. Harry played ALL of the Long Island high schools. He was taken from us in 1981 at age 38 driving on the Long Island Expressway to a free concert at Eisenhower Park. I wasn't there that night, but my friend, who was there, told me it became a memorial of everyone singing his songs. The next day, the Eisenhower Park bandshell was renamed the Harry Chapin Memorial Bandshell, and a few days later, Hecksher Park in Huntington renamed their stage the Chapin Rainbow Stage.

[@kaybarrett417]

this and tangled up puppet, coreys commin and the mayor of candor lied ALL EXCELLENT

[@brendalg4]

Bummer (name of song)

[@ralphey8189]

❤❤❤

[@wbelle_author]

I was stuck in the traffic on the LIE that day. Arrived at my friend's and we spent the day drinking wine, playing and singing Harry's songs.

[@sfogliatelle]

This is so profound, it sums up why some of us are punished in this world for seeing things differently and not following the crowd. The world is full of followers and if you aren't one you will constantly be pushed to be one.

[@tantraman10]

Tears here. "They" break us. "They" broke me, and then my children. Working now on releasing the robot programming.... grateful for my teacher .....and this chance...

[@alfazmutazad2965]

Very very true

[@mlmcproductions4191]

Harry was from Long Island NY. He was so popular he was a repeat guest of latenight TV shows. Harry championed Hunger as a cause to stand for. We lost him when he stepped off a curb at the wrong time. Celibrate his life by sharing and caring for those around you.

[@wbelle_author]

Saw him in Huntington, where he lived. He would do concerts for the locals at the high school, and we would take advantage of them. Cried when he died.

[@steeleye2000]

There ARE so many colors in the flowers. We need to see every one!

[@NealFox]

Never heard this one before. What a gem of truth.

[@wouldntyalike2know941]

I have loved Harry Chapin and this song for decades...needing to hear it, I looked it up and was stunned to see this version with John Davidson. My respect and appreciation for John Davidson jumping in on the duet went up a mile. What a great version...god bless you both

[@mizbuggy]

Their voices harmonize beautifully & perfectly. And flowers and leaves come in ALL colors! And dogs can be pink & elephants orange with purple polka dots. The elephant might be terribly sick but orange is orange. Bravo gentleman!!!

[@Zolwena]

Oh my god, I just LOVE this song and have loved this song since forever! I was blessed to see Harry Chapin a few times on stage, he really truly had a gift for song!

[@jasonnstegall]

Funny how this song - along with pretty much all of Harry’s songs - was of and yet ahead of its time.

[@johndybala8580]

I have often made two comments about this song: First, it could have been written last week, never mind almost 45 years ago. Second, some artist out there is missing the opportunity to score a major hit by covering this song.

[@timothyedwards3623]

Well said

[@jeffreyjensen1055]

I saw Harry sing this in his living room when it was released. He did a two hour interview w a bunch of kids from local high school & college radio stations. Amazing. Saw him about 5 times. Great guy.

[@lauradhawan7739]

This is one of my favorite songs in the universe. I thank my parents.

[@waynejohanson1083]

Just remember flowers come in all kinds of colors.

[@connietrent1167]

OMG Loved Harry....such a telling song..how adults try to stop kids from seeing "outside the box"😢😢😢😢

[@julieharris227]

Have loved this song for many years! Having had a teacher humiliating me Infront of others at four years old for being more interested in the illustrations than the words . Pictures spoke to me a thousand words! And I could read them all!

[@katrinamerkel6059]

Yet now, as a teacher who teaches young children to read, one of the first things we ask them to do is describe what they notice in the pictures- at least at my school. Then again, we are an elementary school for the Arts

[@julieharris227]

@Shaboygan Bakalal Thank you so much!🙏🥰💖

[@brendalg4]

Did you lose the ability because of the teacher

[@julieharris227]

@@brendalg4 Hello! Possibly. I was overwhelmed with self awareness and embarrassment at the same time! And at only 4 years old I was made to feel alienated! Thank you for your comment!

[@brendalg4]

@@julieharris227 I hope you got over it and pictures still speak to you. I was ostracized by other kids because I played with a girl that they wouldn't play with. 2nd grade... still have no friends at 58

[@KJ-nd6jl]

What I love so much about of this song is not only the song but the emotion you see Harry sing it . Every version ( the boy’s levels) .You feel it

[@TimBlissbigt]

I'm going to school to be a teacher and my instructor sent me here.

[@garrylaing8197]

I was once accused by a vice principal that I was teaching "outside the curriculum". My department head told me, "You are teaching critical thinking." I tried my best to communicate with the students as I taught high school for 37 years. I am wishing you success Tim.

[@Geo-nq9cw]

It should be a requirement

[@kaybarrett417]

you already in trouble

[@bennoyes05]

MAGA!

[@maureenlaneski2802]

That's great! How are things now?

[@hunterusa4039]

Beautiful sad and hope all at the same time

[@charleybarley914]

When I saw Harry in 81 he told the story about singing this on the Tonite Show.

[@grumpyoldlady_rants]

Oh, how I love Harry!

[@CaptTom11]

I saw Harry twice in concert. He has always been an inspiration to me.

[@waynejohanson1083]

How were the concerts. Bet they were great.

[@CaptTom11]

@@waynejohanson1083 They were awesome! He was such a down to earth guy.

[@rjcook2232]

yup.. i cried again- just like the 1st time i heard this song

[@allysonberry8708]

I have always loved Eric Carle’s book, “The Artist who Painted a Horse Blue”. If you look at his many books, he uses every color under the rainbow. Harry Chaplin always could see things most of us missed.

[@elizabethcarter9376]

Long Live Harry's wisdom ...

[@michaelpope2886]

I heard this song on the radio when I was in elementary school back in the 70s. It stuck in my mind, and I always remembered the lyrics of the chorus. It really moved me, and I remember even at that age realizing that the teacher had killed that spark of creativity and enthusiasm in the kid, forever.

[@bobsternvogel5550]

Although I was born in 1959 and thus was in a position to enjoy Harry's music while he was still alive, I had never heard this song before today, when it was linked in a message board discussion about "the most useless thing you learned in school".

[@michaelwade5264]

It’s 4/23/21, and I found this video in the comments of an article about a six year old girls whose teacher told she had drawn her picture “wrong”. I had not heard this Harry Chapin song before. It’s very good! I bet the “auto generated caption” device must have gotten a hernia trying to fill in the chorus of this song!!

[@daddybitts2545]

Never saw this version before. So good

[@aleji0]

My dad's hero and his favorite song. Etched into my mind since childhood. As amazing at is has ever been.

[@bradcamara9316]

Loved seeing this again, great songwriters an musician's both Harry an Tom Chapin. Saw them at the Lindsey Air Station NCO Club in Wiesbaden Germany October-ish 1979 I think, been listening to them ever since, shared my umbrella with them for about 20minutes walking to the club so they an there guitars wouldn't get wet, great conversation an have been listing ever since. 🦅

[@thomasrowe9822]

And the flowers in the background are green and red...lol

[@Mysticmindfield144]

This made me laugh so hard. 😂🤣😂

[@waakkeuppp]

😆

[@heatherc.7706]

except that they are poinsettias, which are actually red leaves.

[@ekr66]

I needed this today❤😊 thank you!

[@stephaniehillman2455]

I never heard that song before about colors. Made me really think about my school days. Love to hear Harry Chapin sing.❤❤❤

[@patriciafaison9164]

Do you know that his brother Tom does a mini concert from his living room every Tuesday and Thursday at 11 am eastern. He does his own music and many of Harry's as well. Check him out on Facebook.

[@thetoddandersonshow4067]

I am 40 and I have loved Harry since I was a kid! Great song great message

[@melanieedwards1648]

This is my childhood song ❤❤❤

[@michaelbaker6844]

Thank you for putting this up, the song had a big effect on me when I was in my 20s and I realized that I too had been programed.

[@timpwhit]

Reminds me of a song by folk singer Harry Chapin called Flowers Are Red. The teacher says to a little boy "Flowers are red, young man/Green leaves are green/There's no need to see Flowers any other eay/than the way they always have been seen." The boy replies "But there's so many colors in a rainbow/so many colors in the morning sun/So many colors in a flower/and I see every one" Chapin described his inspiration came from a story a friend told of her young child being sent home with a note reading "Your child marches to the beat of a different drummer, but don't worry, we'll soon have him marching along with the rest of the class."

[@AndreaW]

That's literally what's in this video. Were you meaning to comment on some other video and then looked up the one you were thinking about?

[@timpwhit]

@AndreaW You nailed it. I looked up this video after watching another that reminded me of this song. Somehow I must have posted my comment on this video by mistake. Oops, my bad as the kids would say lol. Good intuition.

[@nategraham6946]

We watched this in my Romans class today, super powerful. And a beautiful yet sad song.

[@MarilynVGreen]

Many years ago, when my middle boy was in 6th grade, they called me in the third week of school because my son was having trouble adjusting. They had every kid in the same class, including children with issues. My son, a born introvert, had trouble dealing with the chaos that some kids would cause. As we sat in the principal’s office, his hand shaking in mine, we listened to that man, on the third week of school, say that he would have to repeat sixth grade because he wasn’t participating. I was young, and alone and I didn’t have anyone that could help guide me. My greatest regret is that I did not yell at that man. I did not defend my kid. Instead I led him to the hall with his shaking hand and told him he had to go to class. He wanted to just come home with me and I made him go to class. He repeated sixth grade and I switched schools. But I’ve never forgiven myself. To this day, my beautiful son is still an introvert. He’s still shy. But every once in a while I can see him coloring with every color of the rainbow. He’s the only one that still lives with me. And he’s a beautiful, loving young man. But I really wish that, just that one time, I had stood up for him and told those morons to go fuck themselves.

[@experiencejoy]

This made me cry

[@lynnw9819]

This song always makes me cry

[@frankferrandiz6270]

@@lynnw9819 me too

[@oohyllab]

Several HC songs make me cry!! So darn good!!

[@craigirving4100]

What a beautiful man he was and still is

[@dmmchugh3714]

I always loved this song. Saw Harry in concert in Morristown, NJ in the mid-1970's with my best friend from high school . It was snowing so hard, but we made it on the highway !

[@alittlejersey]

Love this song. !!!! Miss him

[@sytyanna]

they compliment eachother’s voice really good, guitar is a +

[@RedHairedRockHead]

This song still makes me cry.

[@P4551V3]

Hello from Staunton River High school. Thanks Mr. Horine.

[@Berty_worm96]

such a good duet

[@EsotericMedic]

i love this so much; childhood memories

[@Edriely]

Having seen a lot of notes from teachers regarding my younger brother, "your son marches to the beat of his own drum" tends to be code for "your child is a hellion, please send help in the form of whiskey or scotch" because they can't actually tell a parent they have a spawn of satan, even if the parents are well aware of that😂

[@feinstei]

Superior to the album version with John Davidson duet'ing with Harry. Thanks for posting this!

[@lonewolf1053]

Man they killed it!.. Absolutely awesome!! 👍😊

[@nikreikalas6886]

What a great song, 1st time I heard it.

[@frangourlay]

Love this song

[@k.l.barnes1529]

I've never seen this clip. In the live versions of this, Harry references to singing it on the Tonight Show. Bravo!! Now-let's get rid of Common Core!! Talk about clipping the wings of our children & not allowing them to soar!

[@klandersen42]

I don't recall seeing this clip either. At the beginning he said he just wrote the song "about a week and a half ago". So if he is telling the truth this is one of the first performances of it. Probably hadn't yet recorded it.

[@jnighs8380]

That doesnt really make since common core teach the principles of approaching the same problem differently. Not to say its always successfully conveyed or taught right but actually it leans on these principles of trying to get ppl to think differently about the same problem which fits in with the values of the song

[@jnighs8380]

For example common core teaches you that some ppl round numbers that are close to ten up to ten then subtract the difference to come up with their answer . it trys to teach it. Which doesnt always succeed and can seem like complicating an easy problem if not done right thats the problem with it.

[@ChrisBirkettMusic]

I love the use of the universal language of music to convey truth. So many dreams are killed in our children by thoughtless teaching. This is a great song.

[@waynejohanson1083]

a very underrated song

[@cleanslate2004]

Its. Nice to see his sweet side. I met him years ago at Commack L.I.N.Y. Myself & other Community theater actors were ushering a fund drive & he was there with Richie Havens, Tom Paxton and & a Canadian Folker Lawrance something. Everyone was getting autographs, but me. I had this thing about protecting the image of artists I liked. I didnt wanna find out different. I got it from my dad who loved Joe Di Maggio until Joe insisted on 20 bucks for his autograph. Anyway a fellow actor convinced me to get some from these iconic folk siigers & unfortunately history repeated itself. Richie, Tom & Lawrance were were really friendly, but when I said "Hey how are ya Harry" I guess he was sick of it & scowled. He pushed the poster back at me without signing it like the others & I chuckled, thinking he was kidding. He wasn't. Others caught notice and he pulled it back and scribbled I guess his name. I figured he had a bad day and thought it would make a funny story to tell my dad. He did put on a great show tho, doing Taxi, Cats in the Cradle, 40,000 lbs of bananas and explained what inspired them. I got alotta milage on that story and it got funnier each time I told it.

[@r.c.oleary4504]

GENIUS

[@lcraw4628]

This is just the best clip, thank you for posting it. My fave song of his, resonated since i was a lil kid 💚

[@peterdenew7459]

As a teacher I like ALL the colours in the rainbow and I let my students use everyone ! I had teacher when I was a kid who painted only red roses.....

[@kennydenson4139]

I always loved this song!

[@karmacounselor]

Great harmonizing! Cool! Thanks!

[@1535haha]

Makes so much sense and gives a grwat insight into how we can be coerced so easily

[@lisaalexander3650]

Your list is straight from my heart! I adore Flowers Are Red and I love Patrick Bernard! His music is my soul’s medicine. I even did the graphics for one of his albums…and we used to write long letters to each other, daily. I miss that, but I still have his music.🙂

[@katieshirley2692]

I love this

[@DoctorD250]

That made me weep.

[@allysonberry8708]

Love Eric Carle’s book The Artist who Painted a Blue Horse. When making art, anything goes whether or not the artist followed the instructions or not. Inspiration strikes when inspiration strikes.

[@russelldolter]

December 20 1977

[@chriswoolridge3886]

Wow harmony

[@jimbotutu9379]

Too many people telling each other how to think these days.

[@jimbotutu9379]

Thanks Harry.

[@nigollllll]

GREAT

[@cathyfreeman9524]

My daughter was told that at a preschool we were considering and the minute the teacher said that I said this school is NOT for you. She dropped out of high school at 14 although she was a straight A student but it didn't matter to those who created the rules. She went to college at 16 and graduated Magna Cum Lauda at age 20. She now homeschools her children and they win essay contests, art exhibits and granddaughter at age 5 and age 6 created two stop animation films that won two different Independant Film Festivals with $100 awards each. This year both grandchildren ages 7 and 10 entered a professional Gingerbread Contest and the 10 year old won first place for her "Sand Castle" and 7 year old's Spaceship ginger"bread" house went to auction and got $250 . . . It was called "Out of this World" which daughter has taught them to always thing out of the box. Thus why they are homeschooled and extremely creative.

[@str8clay]

How intentional was the choice of flowers behind them?

[@artbashevents]

❤❤❤

[@fallaalmariomarcoantonio5457]

I almost cried when that horrible teacher broke the boy's will and made him repeat her tagline.

[@maxinegalpin6068]

and that's a sad reality 🍀

[@mikepetergumball8337]

harry saw it

[@anneoneill-cz4jm]

❤

[@stopmakingsense1543]

I commented a couple of days ago in response to a post about the rainbow on a Christian page. About how the rainbow Noah saw having 7 colors, the Pride flag has 6 and therefore is of Satan. My response: ALL the colors are in a rainbow. Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there.

[@virginiaconnor8350]

As an art majour, I can see why the school system is going downhill. The first teacher reminds me if that teacher in James Carvell's book about education. I prefer to be like the 2nd teacher.

[@ronniewatkins5473]

Isn't the guy at the desk the husband Suzanne Somers?

[@rudydieteren]

Who is the precentor?

[@stempassport]

ELM 340...Design Create Think! Let's help build the next generation of outside-the-box thinkers!

[@geniushisfriends1260]

How sad that the teacher programmed that little boy to think that way.

[@anneoneill-cz4jm]

Your Wife said.❤

[@CristianGarcia-ec8eu]

That's 7th grade teacher

[@ChrisB600]

Ye gods I like the song and the philosophy but I can't help being horrified at how we used to think wide lapels and bell-bottoms and big hair looked *_"cool"_*

[@rickyblizzard1]

I wish I were dead

[@1mparcher]

Arizona has one of the worst Education Systems in America, my Masters is in Education here in Arizona, I would not teach in Arizona. Politicians in Arizona and throughout America go after Education, especially the Republicans. Uneducated Americans are easy to control, all of the Politicians "groupies" are a perfect example, they are sheep. The less the public knows is beneficial to politicians. Uneducated Americans won't know the difference between the "Keating Five" or the "Little Rock Nine." A perfect scenario for the controlling Politicians, especially Republicans but Democrats can be just as bad.... The general public are millions, elected politicians are few! It's all about control, not about improving the United States of America. "If by a "Liberal," they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people - their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties - someone who believes that we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say that I'm a "Liberal."" (John F. Kennedy) “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives... I never meant to say that the Conservatives are generally stupid. I meant to say that stupid people are generally Conservative. I believe that is so obviously and universally admitted a principle that I hardly think any gentleman will deny it. Suppose any party, in addition to whatever share it may possess of the ability of the community, has nearly the whole of its stupidity, that party must, by the law of its constitution, be the stupidest party; and I do not see why honorable gentlemen should see that position as at all offensive to them, for it ensures their being always an extremely powerful party... There is so much dense, solid force in sheer stupidity, that any body of able men with that force pressing behind them may ensure victory in many a struggle, and many a victory the Conservative party has gained through that power." (John Stuart Mill ( British philosopher, economist, and liberal member of Parliament for Westminster from 1865 to 68 )”)

[@anneoneill-cz4jm]

Shtticcckuurgeeetar up uour appendage😮

[@bennoyes05]

7 COMMUNISTS HAVE DOWN VOTED THIS SONG

[@vinnygi]

If you knew anything Harry Chapin, you’d know how stupid your comment is.

[@bullterror5]

IS THIS HIS PROGRAMMING SONG KING CHARLES?!

[@bullterror5]

Are they only Red and Green Snappy Tom? Snap out of it then...

[@anneoneill-cz4jm]

Back to badmantin.if we 😢the 😂